Fiji wing Votu signs for Exeter Chiefs, says Baxter

The 27-year-old is expected to make his first competitive appearance for the Devon club in their LV= Cup game against Bath on January 26, following the Heineken Cup matches against Clermont Auvergne and Leinster.

Votu has been training with the Chiefs for several weeks but his debut has been delayed as the club completed the required paperwork.

"We've got all the paperwork we need, finally," said Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter. "Obviously, he is not in the Heineken Cup squad because we had to name that well before he arrived, but it will give us an opportunity to have a look at him in the LV= Cup. We want to see him playing within our structures."

Baxter admitted he would have liked Votu to have played sooner, to help the player's development. He said: "He could have played in some A League games, LV= Cup games and, potentially, some in the Premiership as well.

"It is a great opportunity for him to develop as a player and become a professional rugby player and that is the only disappointment – that it has taken this long to get everything sorted.

"It some ways, this has probably done him some good – he has spent a bit more time settling in with us and we have got his base fitness where it needs to be.

"I'm obviously relieved because we've wanted to have a look at the guy and bring him in. It has been a bit of a shame for him, and more of problem for him than us.

"We have fit players and have not been desperate for a winger to get out on the pitch, but he could have had game-time earlier in the season."